Hermetic container



P. HOTZ HERMETIC CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept.

m r .J N n n E A. w L 6 Wm I L M L 9, P I 0 517W. 1 L H. M l L L C L c L B 8 L E E l 0 L L l 5 H L/ 1 3 W 2 L c 0 2 I L I 2 L E n r 2 2 6 c L s L L l L E E L/ c L I 3 T T E sl r L h L L E P I), T; m M v m H 25,1970 P. HOTZ 3, 2 65 HERMETIC CONTAINER Filed Sept. 9, 1968 4 Sheets-Shee't :3

I I lorney Aug. 25, 1970 Filed Sept. 9, 1968 FSEZ P. HOTZ HERMETIC CONTAINER SFP --FsE4 F852- SP Ell 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. TER HOTZ United States Patent 3,525,465 HERMETIC CONTAINER Peter Hotz, Pittsburgh, Pa, assiguor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 9, 1968, Ser. No. 758,289 Int. Cl. B65d 5/02, 13/00 U.S. Cl. 229-37 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an hermetic container or carton and, more particularly, to a laminate-type foldable container which will provide an air and moisture barrier for its contents and the method of making such container.

The hermetic container is formed from a laminate blank having a barrier material, coated with an adhesive material, and a cover material. The blank has a first folding panel having a free longitudinal edge, a first panel connected to the first folding panel by a first longitudinal score line, a second folding panel connected to the first panel by a second longitudinal score line, a second panel having a free longitudinal edge and connected to the second folding panel by a third longitudinal score line, a top panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a top score line and a button panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a bottom score line. Each of the first folding panel and the second folding panel have longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the first, second and third longitudinal score lines, end edge score lines connected to the longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the ends of the first folding panel and the second folding panel and corner score lines connecting the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines and the end edge score lines with an adjacent corner. The top panel and the bottom panel each have end edge score lines substantially parallel respectively to the top score line and the bottom score line. The free longitudinal edge of the second panel is sealed to the free longitudinal edge of first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line is sealed to the longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The other longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the first longitudinal score line is sealed to the other longitudinal edge of the first folding panel defined by the first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The other longitudinal edge of the second panel adjacent the third longitudinal score line is sealed to the other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge of the container, a longitudinally sealed container and defining a container cavity. One of the top panel and the bottom panel is bent along the corresponding one of the top score line and the bottom score line and along the adjacent end edge score line of the one to form a bent longitudinal edge of the one, and along the other end edge score line of the one to form another bent longitudinal edge of the one. An edge of the first folding panel and of the second folding panel adjacent said one of the top panel and the bottom panel are bent along an adjacent end edge line of the first folding panel and the second folding panel outwardly from the container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines and are sealed to the side edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel to form a sealed end on the container. The bent longitudinal edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel are sealed to the adjacent end edge of the first panel and the adjacent end edge of the second panel.

The method of forming the hermetic container is also part of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A laminate hermetic folding container must be compatible with existing methods of die or blank cutting and scoring. It must be capable of use with automatic equipment needed to form, fill and seal the container. The container must provide a barrier to water vapor and other gases. If a paper laminate is used and wicking or capillary action is to be prevented, no paper surfaces or edges can be exposed on the inside of the container. Again, if a paper laminate is used, all scoring must be done on the paper side of the container blank to eliminate possible rupture of the metal foil membrane. If pressure is used in sealing the container, it must not be exerted on the inside cavity of the carton.

Conventional containers are disclosed in the following patents:

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of the present invention -to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difiiculties of, and objections to, prior art practices by the provision of a method of making an hermetic container of the laminate type and the container which:

(a) is compatible with existing methods of die cutting and scoring;

(b) is usable with automatic equipment needed to form,

fill and seal the container;

(c) provides a barrier to water vapor and other gases;

(d) eliminates paper surfaces or edges on the inside of the container to prevent wicking or capillary action;

(e) is adapted for scoring on the paper side of the container blank to eliminate possible rupture of the metal foil membrane; and

(f) eliminates the use of pressure on the inside cavity of the container during sealing of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a method of forming an hermetic container from a laminate blank having a barrier material coated with an adhesive material, and a cover material. The blank has a first folding panel having a free longitudinal edge, a first panel connected to the first folding panel by a first longitudinal score line, a second folding panel connected to the first panel by a second longitudinal score line, a second folding panel having a free longitudinal edge end connected to the second folding panel by a third longitudinal score line, a top panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a top score line and a bottom panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a bottom score line. Each of the first folding panel and the second folding panel have longitudinal edge score lines substantially parlalel to the tfirst, second and third longitudinal score lines, end edge score lines connected to the longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the ends of said first folding panel and second folding panel and corner score lines connecting the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines and the end edge score lines with an adjacent corner. The top panel and the bottom panel each have end edge score lines substantially parallel respecitvely to the top score line and the bottom score line.

The method comprises the steps of: (1) moving the second folding panel on the second longitudinal score line, the second panel on the third longitudinal score line and the first folding panel on the first longitudinal score line in one direction over onto the first panel so that (a) the free longitudinal edge of the second panel is aligned with the free longitudinal edge of the first folding panel defined by the adjacent edge score line, and (b) the longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line is aligned with the longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel; (2) sealing the free longitudinal edge of the second panel to the aligned free longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of the container; (3) sealing the longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line to the aligned longitudinal edge of the second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of the container; (4) moving the second folding panel on the second longitudinal score line, the second panel on the third longitudinal score line and the first folding panel on the first longitudinal score line in the opposite direction onto the first panel so that (a) the other longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the first longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of the first folding panel defined by the first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the first folding panel, and (b) the other longitudinal edge of the second panel adjacent the third longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel; (5) sealing the other longitudinal edge of the first panel to the other aligned longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of the container; (6) sealing the other longitudinal edge of the second panel to the aligned other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge of the container and a longitudinally sealed container; (7) moving the second folding panel on its longitudinal edge score line adjacent the second longitudinal sealed edge, the second panel on the other longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel adjacent the fourth longitudinal sealed edge and the first folding panel on its longitudinal edge score lines adjacent the first longitudinal sealed edge and adjacent the third longitudinal sealed edge in the one direction With respect to the first panel to provide a container cavity; (8) moving an end edge of the first folding panel and of the second folding panel adjacent one of the top panel and the bottom panel along an adjacent end edge score line of the first folding panel and the second folding panel outwardly from the container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines; (9) moving the one of the top panel and the bottom panel along the corresponding one of said top score line and said bottom score line and the adjacent end edge score lines of the one to form a bent longitudinal edge of the one so that the longitudinal edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel are aligned with an end edge of the first panel and an end edge of the second panel, and the bent side edges of the first folding panel and of the second folding panel are aligned with the side edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel; (10) sealing the longitudinal edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel to the adjacent end edges of the first panel and the second panel; and (11) sealing the bent side edges of the first folding panel and of the second folding panel to the side edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel to form a sealed end on the container.

The hermetic container has a laminate blank having a barrier material, coated With an adhesive material, and a cover material. The blank has a first folding panel having a free longitudinal edge, a first panel connected to the first folding panel by a first longitudinal score line, a second folding panel connected to the first panel by a second longitudinal score line, a second panel having a free longitudinal edge and connected to the second folding panel by a third longitudinal score line, a top panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a top score line and a bottom panel connected to one of the first panel and the second panel by a bottom score line. Each of the first folding panel and the second folding panel have longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the first, second and third longitudinal score lines, and edge score lines connected to the longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the ends of the first folding panel and second folding panel and corner score lines connecting the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines and the end edge score lines with an adjacent corner. The top panel and the bottom panel each have end edge score lines substantially parallel respectively to the top score line and the bottom score line. The free longitudinal edge of the second panel is sealed to the free longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The longitudinal edge. of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line is sealed to the longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The other longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the first longitudinal score line is sealed to the other longitudinal edge of the first folding panel defined by the first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of the container. The other longitudinal edge of the second panel adjacent the third longitudinal score line is sealed to the other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel to form a fourth longi tudinal sealed edge of the container, a longitudinally sealed container and defining a container cavity. One of the top panel and the bottom panel is bent along the corresponding one of the top score line and the bottom score line and the adjacent end edge score lines of the one to form a bent longitudinal edge of the one and to form another bent longitudinal edge of the one. An end edge of the first folding panel and the second folding panel adjacent one of the top panel and the bottom panel is bent along an adjacent end edge score line of the first folding panel and the second folding panel outwardly from the container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines, and is sealed to the side edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel, The bent longitudinal edges of the one of the top panel and the bottom panel are sealed to the adjacent end edge of the first panel and the adjacent end edge of the second panel, to form a sealed end on the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard-metal foil container blank and showing the score marks on the paperboard side preparatory for the first folding and sealing operation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the paperboard side down and reversed from the position of FIG. 1 and the movement of the second folding panel on the second longitudinal score line, the second panel moved on the third longitudinal score line and the first folding panel on the first longitudinal score line in one direction over onto the first panel so that: (a) the free longitudinal edge of the second panel is aligned with the free longitudina ledge of the first folding panel defined by the adjacent longitudinal edge score line and (b) the longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line is aligned with the longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel, preparatory for the sealing of the free longitudinal edge of the second panel to the aligned free longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of the container, and for the sealing of the longitudinal edge of the first panel adjacent the second longitudinal score line to the aligned longitudinal edge of the second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of the container;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the movement of the second folding panel on the first longitudinal score line, the second panel on the second longitudinal score line and the first folding panel on the third longitudinal score line in the opposite direction onto the first panel so that: (a) the other longithdinal edge of the first panel adjacent the first longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of the first folding panel defined by the first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the first folding panel, and (b) the other longitudinal edge of the second panel adjacent the third longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel defined by the third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of the second folding panel preparatory for the sealing of the other longitudinal edge of the first panel to the aligned other longitudinal edge of the first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of the container, and the sealing of the other longitudinal edge of the second panel to the aligned other longitudinal edge of the second folding panel to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge of the container and a longitudinally sealed container;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2-3 and showing the longitudinally sealed container sealed at One end preparatory for the filling of the container and the movement of the other end edge of the first folding panel and the other end edge of the second folding panel adjacent the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel) along the adjacent end edge score lines of the first folding panel and the second folding panel outwardly from the container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines, the movement of the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel) along the corresponding other of the top score line and the bottom score line and the adjacent end edge score lines of the other and the other end edge score line of the other so that: (a) the longitudinal edges of the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel) are aligned with the other end edge of the first panel and the other end edge of the second panel, and (b) the bent side edges of the first folding panel and the second folding panel are aligned with the side edges of the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel), preparatory for the sealing of the longitudinal edges of the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel) to the end edges of the first panel and the second panel, and the sealing of the bent side edges of the first folding panel and the second folding panel to the side edges of the other of the top panel and the bottom panel (i.e. the top panel) to form a sealed filled container;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 2-4 showing a sealed filled container;

FIGS. 6A-6C are fragmentary sectional views of the step-by-step formation of a continuous corner seam taken along the line VIAVIA of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 7A-7C are views similar to FIGS. 6A-6C of the step-by-step formation of a sealed corner taken along the lines VIIAVIIA of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGS. 8A8C are views similar to FIG. 1 showing alternative arrangements of the top panel and the bottom panel on the first panel and the second panel.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to a method of forming an hermetic container from a laminate blank having a barrier material coated with an adhesive material and a cover material and the hermetic container produced thereby, this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a method of forming an hermetic container from a laminate blank hav ing a metal foil barrier material coated with an adhesive and a paperboard cover material and the hermetic container produced thereby and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, a laminate blank for forming an hermetic container 12 (FIG. 5), is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

This laminate blank 10 has a cover material 14, suitably .010 inch bleached sulphite paper produced by the Packaging Corporation of America, Filer City, Mich., and a barrier material 16, such as .001 inch annealed tin-coated steel foil, and coated with an adhesive material, such as a latex adhesive similar to the Type PF-l16 modified acrylic adhesive produced by Polmer Industries, Inc., Springdale, Conn. or Type SP-1500 styrene-butadiene rubber adhesive produced by Dewey and Almy Chemical Division of W. R. Grace Company, Cambridge, Mass.

The adhesive is applied to the barrier material 16 in the liquid condition and the coated barrier material 16 is run through an oven under contact pressure with the cover material 14 at a temperature of about 400-450 F. for approximately one minute for the Type PF-1l6 adhesive 18 and at a temperature of about 250300 F. for about 1 minute in the case of the Type SP-1500 adhesive 18. The barrier material 16 of the laminated blank 10 is then coated with a primer, such as Adcote 322 primer produced by the Morton Chemical Company, Division of Morton International, Inc., Chicago, III. by means of a direct Gravure roll and is baked in an oven at a temperature of about 350 F. for about 15 seconds to produce a primer undercoating of about .0001 inch thickness. Thereafter, a latex water-based adhesive, such as Daran 220* adhesive, the trade name of the Dewey and Almy Chemical Division, W. R. Grace Company, Cambridge, Mass, is applied to a thickness of about .001 inch by a reverse rollwetting method. Alternatively, Resyn 30-9016 primer,

manufactured by the National Starch and Chemical Corporation, Plainfield, N.I., may be employed. As an alternative for the above-mentioned adhesive, Serfene H-3l adhesive of the Morton Chemical Company is used.

Referring now to FIG. 1 which shows the blank with the paper 14 face up, this laminate blank 10 has a first folding panel FFP having a free longitudinal edge E1; a first panel FP connected to the first folding panel FFP by a first longitudinal score line L1; a second folding panel SFP connected to the first panel FP by a second longitudinal score line L2; a second panenl SP having a free longitudinal edge E2 and connected to the second folding panel SFP by a third longitudinal score line L3; 9. top panel TP connected to one of the first panel PP and the second panel SP (in this case the second panel SP) by a top score line LT and a bottom panel BP connected to one of the first panel PP and the second panel SP (in this case the second panenl SP) by a bottom score line LB.

Each of the first folding panel FFP and the second folding panel SFP have longitudinal edge score lines LL1 and LL1 (in the case of the first folding panel FFP) and LL2 and LL2 (in the case of the second folding panel SFP), which longitudinal score lines LL1, LL1, LL2, LL2 are substantially parallel to the first longitudinal score line L1, the second longitudinal score line L2 and the third longitudinal score line L3. In addition, the first folding panel FFP and the second folding panel SFP are each provided with edge score lines LE1 and LE1 (in the case of the first folding panel FFP) and LE2 and LE2 (in the case of the second folding panel SFP). These edge score lines LE1, LE1, LE2 and LE2 intersect the longitudinal edge score lines LL1 and LL1 and LL2 and LL2 respectively and are substantially parallel to the ends of the first folding panel FFP and the second folding panel SFP respectively. Diagonal corner score lines LC are provided in each folding panel FFP and SFP to connect the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines LL1, LL1 and the end score lines LE1, LE1 (for the first folding panel FFP) and the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines LL2, LL2 and the end score lines LE2, LE2 (for the second folding panel SFP) with the adjacent corner in each of the panels FFP and SFP. The top panel TP and the bottom panel BP respectively have end edge score LET and LET in the top panel TP and LEB and LEB in the bottom panel BP which end edge score lines LET, LET, LEB, LEB are substantially parallel respectively to the top score line LT and to the bottom score line LB.

METHOD OF FORMING THE HERMETIC CONTAINER 12 Referring now to FIG. 2 which shows the blank 10 reversed from the position of FIG. 1 with the foil 16 face up. the second folding panel movement of SFP on the second longitudinal score line L2, the second panel on the third longitudinal score line L3 and the first folding panel on the first longitudinal score line in one direction (in this case to the left as shown in FIG. 2) over onto the first panel FP so that the free longitudinal edge E2 of the second panel SP is aligned with the free longitudinal edge E1 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the first folding panel FFP, which edge E1 is defined by the adjacent longitudinal edge score line LL1. In addition, the longitudinal edge E4 of the first panel FP adjacent the second longitudinal score line L2 is aligned with the longitudinal edge E3 of the second folding panel SFP, which edge E3 is defined by the second longitudinal score line L3 and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line LL2 of the second folding panel SFP.

For the purpose of sealing the edge E2 of the second panel SP and the edge E1 of the first folding panel FFP and the edge E3 of the second folding panel SFP and the edge E4 of the first panel FP, an automatic sealer (only the jaws 20 of which are shown in FIG. 2) is employed. Such automatic sealer (not shown) may be of the type 8 known as Sentinal Heat Sealer, Model No. 1M, manufactured by the Packaging Industries, Inc., Montclair, New Jersey, and described in detail in the following United States patents:

Inventor Issue Date U.S. Patent No.:

449 Haslaeher et 1 12/7/43 As shown in FIG. 2, the jaws 20 of the automatic sealer are positioned, for example, along the edge E2 of the second panel SP and the aligned edge E1 of the first folding panel FFP in the open position by means of the spring-biased handles 22 afiixed to the jaws 20. The jaws 20 are released into position on the edges E1, E2, and a starting button 24 is pushed initiating the sealing cycle.

By means of the above-described automatic sealer the free longitudinal edge E2 of the second panel SP is sealed to the free longitudinal edge E1 of the first folding panel FFP to form a first longitudinal sealed edge FSEl K of the container 12. Referring still to FIG. 2, the longitudinal edge E3 of the second folding panel SFP is thereafter sealed to the longitudinal edge E4 of the first panel FP to form a second longitudinal sealed edge FSE2 of the container 12.

It will be understood that during the sealing of the sealed edges FSEl etc. the particular edge being sealed is raised to a temperature of about 500 F. for a period of about 5 seconds under a pressure of about 40 p.s.i.g. In the case of the sealing of the multiple layers for the corners shown in FIGS. 5, 6A-6C, 7A-7C, such corners are maintained at a temperature of about 300 F. for a period of about 30 seconds at a pressure of about 40 p.s.i.g. The multiple layers of the laminate 10 in the corners requires the additional sealing time and at a lower temperature to prevent charring of such corners.

Thereafter, referring now to FIG. 3, the second folding panel SFP is moved on the longitudinal edge score line LL2 adjacent the first longitudinal score line L1; the second panel SP is moved on the third longitudinal score line L2; and the first folding panel FFP is moved on the first longitudinal score line L3 and the longitudinal edge score line LL1 in the opposite direction (in this case to the right as viewed in FIG. 3) onto the first panel FP so that the other longitudinal edge E5 of the first panel FP (adjacent the first longitudinal score line L1) is aligned with the other longitudinal edge E6 of the first folding panel FFP (defined by the first longitudinal score line L1 and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line LL1 of the first folding panel FFP). In addition the other longitudinal edge E7 (FIG. 3) of the second panel SP (adjacent the third longitudinal score line L3) is aligned with the other longitudinal edge E8 of the second folding panel SFP (defined by the third longitudinal score line L3 and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line LLZ of the second folding panel SFP).

Thereafter, the other longitudinal edge E5 of the first panel FP is sealed by the automatic sealer (not shown in FIG. 3) to the other longitudinal edge E6 of the first folding panel FFP to form a third longitudinal sealed edge FSE3 of the container 12. The other longitudinal edge E7 of the second panel SP is similarly then sealed to the other longitudinal edge E8 of the second folding panel SFP to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge FSE4 of the container 12 and a longitudinally sealed container 12.

In order to move the container '12 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4, second folding panel SFP is moved on its longitudinal edge score line LL2 adjacent the second longitudinal sealed edge FSE2, the second panel SP is moved on the other longitudinal edge score line LL2' adjacent the fourth longitudinal sealed edge FSE4, and the first folding panel FFP is moved on its longitudinal edge score lines LL1 and LL1 respectively adjacent respectively the first lngitudinally sealed edge FSEl and the third longitudinally sealed edge FSE3 in one direction (in this case to the left as viewed in FIG. 3) with respect to the first panel FP to provide a container cavity 26.

Inasmuch as the sealing of the bottom panel BP and the top panel TP to the now longitudinally-sealed container .12 is essentially the same, it is deemed sufficient to assume the bottom panel BP is sealed to the longitudinally-sealed container 12 and to now describe the sealing of the top panel TP to the container 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an end edge E9 of the first front panel FFP (defined by the score line LE1) and an end edge E10 of the second folding panel SFP (defined by the end edge score line LE2) are moved adjacent one of the top panel TP and the bottom panel BP (in this case the top panel TP) along the adjacent end edge score lines LE1 and LE2 respectively of the first folding panel FFP and the second folding panel SFP respectively outwardly from the container cavity 26 along the adjacent corner scOre lines LC from the position shown in FIGS. 4, 6A, 7A to the position shown in FIGS. 6B, 7B. Thereafter the top panel TP or the bottom panel BP (in this case the top panel TP) is moved along the top score line LT and along the adjacent end edge score line LET of the top panel TP to form a bent edge E11 of the top panel TP. The other edge score line LET of the top panel TP is bent to form another longitudinal edge E12 of the top panel TP. The bent longitudinal edges E11 and E12 of the top panel TP are aligned respectively with an end edge E14 of the second panel SP and an end edge E13 of the first panel PP. The bent side edges E9 and E10 (FIGS. 6C, 7C) of the first folding panel FFP and the second folding panel SFP respectively are aligned with the side edges E15 and E16 respectively of the top panel TP.

Thereafter, the longitudinal edge E11 of the top panel TP is sealed by the above-described automatic sealer to the adjacent end edge E14 of the second panel SP to form a fifth longitudinally sealed edge FSES (FIG. In like manner the bent side edges E9 and E of the first folding panel FFP and second folding panel SFP respectively are sealed to the respective side edges E15 and E16 of the top panel TP to form the sixth and seventh longitudinally sealed edges FSE6, FSE7 respectively. Thereafter the longitudinal edge E12 of the top panel TP is sealed to the end edge E13 of the first panel FP to form the eighth longitudinally sealed edge FSES and a sealed end on the container 12.

In the situation shown in FIG. 4 it will be understood that heretofore the container cavity 26 has been filled with a material and that the final sealing of the top panel TP to the container .12 completes the fabrication of the container 12.

For clarity, the details of the sealing of the corners of the top panel TP and the bottom panel BP are shown in FIGS. 6A6C and 7A-7C which clearly illustrate a corner seal.

HERMETIC CONTAINER 12 As shown in FIG. 5, the above-described method provides an hermetic container 12 in which the free longitudinal edge E2 of the second panel SP is sealed to the free longitudinal edge E1 of the first folding panel FFP to form the first longitudinal sealed edge FSEl of the container 12. Further, the longitudinal edge E4 of the first panel FP adjacent the second longitudinal score line L2 is sealed to the longitudinal edge E3 of the second folding panel SEP (defined by the second longitudinal score line L2 and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line LLZ of the second folding panel SFP) to form the Second longitudinally sealed edge FSE2 of the container 12. In addition, the other longitudinal edge E5 of the first panel FP adjacent the first longitudinal score line L1 is sealed to the other longitudinal edge E6 of the first folding panel FFP (defined by the first longitudinal score line L1 and the adjacent longitudinal edge LL1 of the first folding panel FFP) to form a third longitudinal sealed edge FSES of the container 12. Similarly, the other longitudinal edge E7 of the second panel SP adjacent the third longitudinal score line L3 is sealed to the other longitudinal edge E8 of the second folding panel SFP (defined by the third longitudinal score line L3 and the adacent longitudinal edge score line LL2' of the second folding panel SFP) to form the fourth longitudinal sealed edge FSE4 of the container 12, the longitudinally sealed container 12 and the container cavity 26.

After the sealing of the bottom panel BP to the now longitudinally-sealed container 12, the top panel TP is bent along the top score line LT along the adajcent end edge score line LET and along the other end edge score line LET to form a pair of bent longitudinal edges on the top panel TP. These bent longitudinal edges E11 and E12 of the top panel TP are sealed to the adjacent end edges respectively E14 of the second panel SP and the adjacent end edge E13 of the first panel FP. As shown in FIG. 5 the bent end edge E9 of the first folding panel FFP and the bent end edge E10 of the second folding panel SFP are sealed to the respective side edges E15 and E16 of the top panel TP to complete the now-filled, now-sealed container 12.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively the laminated blank 10 shown in FIG. 8A may have the top panel TP and the bottom panel BP both aflixed to opposite ends of the second panel SP. In FIG. 8B the top panel TP and the bottom panel BP are both afiixed to the first panel FP. Alternatively the arrangement shown in FIG. 70 shows the top panel TP affixed to the top of the first panel FF and the bottom panel BP afiixed to the bottom of the second panel SP.

Alternatively the barrier material may employ aluminum foil or the like or a plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride or the like.

11 SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved method of forming a hermetic container 12 and the hermetic container 12 itself, which method and container 12:

(a) are compatible with existing methods of die or blank scoring,

(b) are useful with the automatic equipment required to form, fill and seal the container 12,

(c) provide a barrier to water vapor and other gases,

((1) eliminate all paper bonded surfaces or edges 14 on the inside of the container 12 so that wicking or capillary action of a contained liquid through the paperboard 14 does not occur,

(e) are adapted for scoring on the paperboard 14 of the container 12 to eliminate possible rupture on the foil barrier material 16, and

(f) eliminate the use of pressure on the inside container cavity 26 during the sealing of the container 12. While in accordance with the patent statutes, a preferred and alternative embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim: 1. A method of forming an hermetic container from a (a) said blank having a first folding panel having a 1 free longitudinal edge, a first panel connected to said first folding panel by a first longitudinal score line, a second folding panel connected to said first panel by a second longitudinal score line, a second panel having a free longitudinal edge and connected to said second folding panel by a third longitudinal score line, a top panel connected to one of said first panel and said second panel by a top score line and a bottom panel connected to one of said first panel and said second panel by a bottom score line,

(h) each of said first folding and said second folding panel having longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to said first, second and third longitudinal score lines, end edge score lines connected to the longitudinal edge score lines substantially par allel to the ends of said first folding panel and second folding panel and corner score lines connecting the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines and the end edge score lines with an adjacent corner,

(c) said top panel and said bottom panel each having end edge score lines substantially parallel respectively to said top score line and said bottom score line, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) moving said second folding panel on said second longitudinal score line, said second panel on said third longitudinal score line and the first folding panel on the first longitudinal score line in one direction over onto said first panel so that:

(a) said free longitudinal edge of said second panel is aligned with said free longitudinal edge of said first folding panel defined by the adjacent longitudinal edge score line, and

(b) the longitudinal edge of said first panel adjacent said second longitudinal score line is aligned with the longitudinal edge of said second folding panel defined by said second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of said second folding panel,

(2) sealing said free longitudinal edge of said second panel to said aligned free longitudinal edge of said first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(3) sealing said longitudinal edge of said first panel adjacent said second longitudinal score line to said aligned longitudinal edge of said second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(4) moving said second folding panel on said first longitudinal score line, said second panel on said second longitudinal score line and said first folding panel on said third longitudinal score line in the opposite direction onto said first panel so that:

(a) the other longitudinal edge of said first panel adjacent said first longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of said first folding panel defined by said first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of said first folding panel, and

(b) the other longitudinal edge of said second panel adjacent said third longitudinal score line is aligned with the other longitudinal edge of said second folding panel defined by said third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of said second folding panel,

(5) sealing said other longitudinal edge of said first panel to said aligned other longitudinal edge of said first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(6) sealing said other longitudinal edge of said second panel to said aligned other longitudinal edge of said second folding panel to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge of said container and a longitudinally sealed container,

(7) moving said second folding panel on its lon gitudinal edge score line adjacent said second longitudinal sealed edge, said second panel on the other longitudinal edge score line of said second folding panel adjacent said fourth longitudinal sealed edge and said first folding panel on its longitudinal edge score lines adjacent said first longitudinal sealed edge and adjacent said third longitudinal sealed edge in said one direction with respect to said first panel to provide a container cavity,

(8) moving an end edge of said first folding panel and an end edge of said second folding panel adjacent one of said top panel and said bottom panel along an adjacent end edge score line of said first folding panel and said second folding panel outwardly from said container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines,

(9) moving said one of said top panel and said bottom panel along the corresponding one of said top score line and said bottom score line and the adjacent end edge score lines of said one to form a bent longitudinal edge of said one and to form another bent longitudinal edge of said one, so that:

(a) the bent longitudinal edges of said one of said top panel and said bottom panel are aligned with an end edge of said first panel and an end edge of said second panel,

(b) said bent sides edges of said first folding panel and of said second folding panel are aligned with the side edges of said one of said top panel and said bottom panel,

(10) sealing said longitudinal edges of said one of said top panel and said bottom panel to said adjacent end edges of said first panel and said second panel, and

(11) sealing said bent side edges of said first folding panel and of said second folding panel to said side edges of said one of said top panel and said bottom panel to form a sealed end on said container.

2. The method recited in claim 1 and including the steps of:

(a) filling said container,

(b) moving said other end edge of said first folding panel and said other end edge of said second folding panel adjacent the other of said top panel and said bottom panel along the adjacent end edge score lines of said first folding panel and said second folding panel outwardly from said container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines,

(c) moving said other of said top panel and said bottom panel along the other of said top score line and said bottom score line and the adjacent end edge score lines of said other and the other end edge score line of said other so that:

(1) the longitudinal edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel are aligned with the other end edge of said first panel and the other end edge of said second panel, and

(2) said bent side edges of said first folding panel and said second folding panel are aligned with the side edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel,

(d) sealing said longitudinal edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel to said end edges of said first panel and said second panel, and

(e) sealing said bent side edges of said first folding panel and said second folding panel to said side edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel to form a sealed filled container.

3. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said one of said first panel and said second panel is said first panel.

4. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said one of; said first panel and said second panel is said second panel.

5. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said one of said top panel and said bottom panel is said top panel.

6. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said one of said top panel and said bottom panel is said bottom panel.

7. An hermetic container having:

(a) a laminate blank having a barrier material,

coated with an adhesive material, and a cover material,

(1) said blank having a first folding panel having a free longitudinal edge, a first panel connected to said first folding panel by a first longitudinal score line, a second folding panel connected to said first panel by a second longitudinal score line, a second panel having a free longitudinal edge and connected to said second folding panel by a third longitudinal score line, a top panel connected to one of said first panel and said second panel by a top score line and a bottom panel connected to one of said first panel and said second panel by a bottom score line,

(2) each of said first folding panel and said second folding panel having longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to said first, second and third longitudinal score lines, end edge score lines connected to the longitudinal edge score lines substantially parallel to the ,ends of said first folding panel and second folding panel and corner score lines connecting the intersection of the longitudinal edge score lines and the end edge score lines with an adjacent corner,

(3) said top panel and said bottom panel each having end edge score lines substantially parallel respectively to said top score line and said bottom score line,

(4) said free longitudinal edge of said second panel being sealed to said free longitudinal edge 14 of said first folding panel to form a first longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(5) the longitudinal edge of said first panel adjacent said second longitudinal score line being sealed to the longitudinal edge of said second folding panel defined by said second longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of said second folding panel to form a second longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(6) the other longitudinal edge of said first panel adjacent said first longitudinal score line being sealed to the other longitudinal edge of said first folding panel defined by said first longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of said first folding panel to form a third longitudinal sealed edge of said container,

(7) the other longitudinal edge of said second panel adjacent said third longitudinal score line being sealed to the other longitudinal edge of said second folding panel defined by said third longitudinal score line and the adjacent longitudinal edge score line of said second folding panel to form a fourth longitudinal sealed edge of said container, a longitudinally sealed container and defining a container cavity,

(8) said one of said top panel and said bottom panel being bent along the corresponding one of said top score line and said bottom score line and along the adjacent end edge score line of said one, and along the other end edge score line of said one to form another bent longitudinal edge of said one,

(9) an end edge of said first folding panel and an end edge of said second folding panel adjacent said one of said top panel and said bottom panel being bent along an adjacent end edge score line of said first folding panel and an adjacent end edge score line of said second folding panel outwardly from said container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines,

(10) said bent end edge of said first folding panel and said bent end edge of said second folding panel being sealed to the side edges of said one of said top panel and said botom panel, and

(11) said bent longitudinal edges of said one of said top panel and said bottom panel being sealed to the adjacent end edge of said first panel and the adjacent end edge of said second panel to form a sealed end on said container.

'8. The container recited in claim 7 and having:

(a) said container filled with a material,

(b) said other end edge of said first folding panel and said second folding panel adjacent the other of said top panel and said bottom panel being bent along the adjacent end edge score lines of said first folding panel and said second folding panel outwardly from said container cavity along the adjacent corner score lines and being sealed to the side edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel,

(c) said other of said top panel and said bottom panel being bent along the other of said top score line and said bottom score line and the adjacent edge score lines of said other and the other end edge score line of said other, and

(1) said longitudinal edges of said other of said top panel and said bottom panel being sealed to the other end edge of said first panel and the other end edge of said second panel to form a sealed filled container.

9. The container recited in claim 7 wherein said barier material is a metal foil.

10. The container recited in claim 7 wherein said barrier material is a plastic.

11. The container recited in claim 7 wherein said cover 1,480,377 material is paperboard. 3 227 35 12. The container recited in claim 7 wherein said one 3 465 946 of said first panel and said second panel is said first panel.

13. The container recited in claim 7 wherein said one of said first panel and said second panel is said second 176 936 panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1918 Hofman 229-37 10 3 1 6 1/ 1924 Daly 229-23 1/ 1966 Eifrid. 9/ 1969 Johnson 229-37 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1922 Great Britain.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION August 25, 1970 Patent No. 3,525,465

Peter Hotz It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 28, "button" should read bottom Column 2, line 2, after "An" insert end line 4, after "edge" insert score Column 3, line 15, "parlalel" should read parallel line 23, "respecitvely should read respectively Column 4, line 37, "and" should read end Column 5, lines 25 and 26, "longitudinal" should read longitudinal line 26 "ledge" should read edge line 45 Longithdinal" should read longitudinal Column 7, line 18, "panenl" should read panel line 44, after "score" insert lines Column 8, line 17, across from "2,350,132" under "Inventor" "do" should read Rohdin Column 10 line 28 "SEP" should read SFP Column 11, line 42, after "first folding" insert H panel Column 12, line 65, "sides" should read side Column 14, line 45, "botom" should read bottom Signed and sealed this 20th day ofApril 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E SCHUYLER, JR.

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

